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Business

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A STRATEGY FOR PROMOTING BUSINESS- FUSION TO ENHANCE
IT
MANAGEMENT OF ENTERPRISE APPLICATIONS
This paper is based upon a research study conducted to determine the significance of managerial
leadership practices in a corporation’s transformation during the period from 2004 to 2006. The
study attempted to discover how business-IT fusion enhances organizational performance. The
study answered two questions: how managerial leadership practices effectively advancebusiness-
IT fusion of an inclusive and collaborative organization and how business-IT fusion affects risks
and profitability. The intention of this study was to contribute to the field of management of
information technology grounded on propositions involving organizational development roles, IT
governance, and collaborative organizations. Triangulated inquiry from documents and a survey of
24 participants who included 2 women and 22 men comprising a chief information officer, 7
functional managers, 8 project managers, and 8 engineers of a corporation in the northeastern
United States confirmed the propositions. The findings indicated that horizontal integration has
begun in transition from being separate toward becoming collaborat ve. This paper will reveal how
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disparate images that are subculture bound could be enhanced by collaborative and integrative
leadership practices. Moreover, the horizontal integration of common financial and technical
applications allows work to be transferred across different locations, thus reducing risks and
increasing return on inves tment. This paper will present a collaborative and integrative model
integrating organizational development roles, IT governance, and relationship management across
organizational settings for transforming effective business-IT fusion.
The business-information technology (IT) alignment is a linear process that does not
provide synergy or effective solutions to meet a rapidly changing environment (Britt, 2002; A.
Evans, 2003; N. Evans, 2004a, 2004b; N. Evans & Hoole, 2005). According to Britt, many
organizations treat business plans as primary and technology plans as secondary. A project life
cycle can last from 3 to 30 years while a new technology can be introduced every year. If a
business plan is complete first andIT supports the business plan, this practice is not agile enough
to take advantage of new technologies and opportunities (Britt). One recommended solution is
business-IT fusion.
Business-IT fusion relates to both the organization and the strategy achieved by
innovations in IT that fuse business strategy and IT outcomes (Britt, 2002). The key to successful
fusion is that the outcomes are realistic and measurable. Britt and N. Evans and Hoole (2005)
asserted business-IT fusion must be part of corporate and operational strategies and must be

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achieved at all levels of the organization. Britt further posited business-IT fusion requires business
and IT to work together in a unified way and fusion is the catalyst for competitive advantage that
brings “enormous quantities of energy” (p. 4).
Corporations need strong leadership to create new strategies that promote business-IT
fusion and strong management to execute the fusion and meet the changing demands of the
environment and key stakeholders. Adapting to changes allows organizations to reposition and
strengthen themselves toward the future (Bowditch & Buono, 2001). From this managerial
leadership perspective, two questions that arise are how managerial leadership practices effectively
advance business-IT fusion of an inclusive and collaborative organization and how business-IT
fusion affects risks and profitability.
Organizations today have independent information technologies, lines of business, and
working cultures. Each product has its own IT applications and processes. Organizatio have
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different IT subcultures (Schein, 2004) and geographical locations throughout the United States.
To satisfy customers and stakeholder relationships and to enhance its competitive advantage, the
organization must integrate its organizational units into a single enterprise to achieve common
systems, applications, and processes. This horizontal integration is the consolidation of product
lines, financial systems, and engineering applications and processes. The goal is to reduce
discrepancies, eliminate redundancies,and improve organizational performance.
N. Evans and Hoole (2005) revealed the main reasons for business-IT nonfusion are poor
communication, scope changes of projects, ineffective requirements, ineffective strategic
alignments, insufficient funds, lack of user involvement, lack of shared missions and
accountabilities, and lack of IT involvement in corporate strategy formation. Information
technology executives could establish “organizational development (OD) roles” (N. Evans &

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Hoole, p. 1) to improve fusion. A. Evans (2003) and N. Evans and Hoole recommended that future
research should explore strategies for promoting business-IT fusion.
The business-IT gap is a problem that affects organizational performance (A. Evans, 2003;
N. Evans, 2004a, 2004b).. According to Frank, Mobs, Son, and Wagner (2004), organizational
performance and profitability depend on business processes. Business processes rely on IT.
Therefore, profitability and performance of companies depend on business-IT fusion.
The Standish Group (2004) found 29% ofIT projects succeeded, 18% of projects
completely failed, and 53% partially failed because they were either over budget or did not meet
quality standards. The finding indicates 71% of IT projects did not meet all project goals. A. Evans
(2003) and N. Evans (2004a, 2004b) determined that poor information systems (IS) lead to failures
that cost the industry about $100 billion per year. In addition, businesses continue spending a
marginal cost from “1.5 to 3.5[%] of revenue across most industries” (Britt, 2002, p. 1) on IT but
they are seldom effectively managing and optimizing the expected return on investment (ROI).
Organizations tend to have difficulty managing IT applications and related business
processes (Anderson & Weiss, 2004; Bygstad, 2004) such as the managerial leadership aspects
between business and IT units (N. Evans, 2004b; Hatzakis, 2004). They find it difficult to
minimize risks and optimize performance (Shere, 2004).
Many problems intrinsically associated with human and organizational factors that
encourage IT research shift from a technology focus to a managerial and organizational focus (N.
Evans & Hoole, 2005). Examples include promoting fusion, establishing IT governance, and
implementing collaborative organization. Schein (2004) posited leaders form cultures and cultures
affect leaders. Information technology executives can promote a culture that supports business-IT
fusion (N. Evans & Hoole). When establishing and implementing business-IT fusion,
organizational development roles, IT governance, and collaborative organization are key strategies

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for capturing new business opportunities, mitigating risks, improving ROI, and supporting
managerial leadership effectiveness (Coughlan et al., 2004; A. Evans, 2003; N. Evans, 2004a,
2004b; N. Evans & Hoole, 2005; Haes & Grembergen, 2005; Hatzakis, 2004).
Approximately 2400 years ago, Chinese general Sun Tzu posited those who master all the
skills of war win; those who do not are defeated (Tzu, 1983 version). Sun Tzu alluded to how
management planning skills are crucial for creating synergy to so a problem. However, changes
lve
in the business environment may force theories to evolve to be effective. For example,
management theories have evolved from Scientific Management by Frederic Taylor (1911), to
Human Relations Movement by Elton Mayo, to Statistical Quality Control by Charles Protzman,
Homer Sarasohn, and Edwards Deming (Perry, 2005; Wren, 1994), thus allowing organizations to
shift their focus from operational efficiency to organizational effectiveness and to quality control.
Similarly, management has been shifting from a focus on the stockholder to a focus on the
stakeholder (Mason-Riseborough, 2003), making the notion of profit apply not only to owners, but
to employees, partners, and communities. Management of IT has also evolved, shifting from an
almost exclusively technical focus to include organizational and managerial matters (N. Evans &
Hoole, 2005). Some existing IT management strategies may need to be revised to address new
requirements.
Research has shown a broad range of historical perspectives that include scientific
management, human relations movement, statistical quality control management, total quality
management (TQM), Six Sigma methodology, project and IT management, agency theory,
stakeholder theory, and ethical theory. Managementpractices promote efficiency and quality and
describe management responsibilities toward owners, stakeholders, business units, programs, and
end users. Management theories cont nue to be a foundation for modern management practices.
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Historical and philosophical developments in the field are described to reflect an adequate
knowledge about managerial leadership practices tha demonstrate fusion in work relationships.
t
Innovation in technologies has transformed a largely agricultural society to a commercial
development society engaged increasingly in manufacture with the creation of large factories
(Scott, 2003; Wren, 1994; Yan, 2006). History indicates developments in both management and
engineering were required to adapt to change (Scott; Wren). Managing factories and resources
efficiently required new methods of work, production, and payment. Frederick Taylor provided
credibility to the idea of scientific management (Wren). Engineers promoted the standardization of
mechanical parts and Taylor divided the human elements in production into their smallest units to
determine a best way to perform each job (Taylor, 1911). The result was that contro of
l
productivity became part of scientific management. Taylor concluded one best method existed to
achieve the maximum surplus.
Innovation in IT has transformed organizations from industrial factory manufacture to
diverse networks enabled by IT (Hassard, 1993). The transformation indicates the “viability of
organization as a closed system has been challenged” (Yan, 2006, p. 6). According to Maxcy
(1994), organizations behave as an “organic community” rather than a “mechanical phenomenon”
(p. 129). Although Yan purported individuals are homogeneous under scientific management
practices, the view does not promote individualism or allow individuals to position themselves at
their full potential. Organizational structures should not limit human factors. Because human
factors are resources, organizations should enable individuals to transform existing structures to
achieve fusion and competitive advantage (Yan).
From the beginnings of scientific management to the modern age of IT, there have been
large technological advancements in the tools and equipment used for production. Indeed, the same
can be said for changes in the business process and skill sets required of the present-day

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environments. An example is the cost and inefficiency ofconducting business face to face in the
marketplace. The Internet provides a virtual environment that elimina costs and makes business
tes
encounters almost instantaneous. A firm has a competitive advantage or values creation because it
uses resources more effectively or owns more efficient resources than its competitors do (Kunin et
al., 2003; Penrose, 1959). Competitive advantage has prompted organizations to seek better and
more efficient ways of managing their IT resources. More organizational leaders are looking at
standardization models for answers to some of their problems (Strassmann, as cited in “Letter to
the Editor,” 2003). Specifically, standardization provides cost-effective models for IT.
Bill Gates’s vision spurred the proliferation of the personal computer as a valuable tool in
homes and offices. Gates’s contribution to the advancement of management theories lies in his use
of computer technology and its application in solving business problems in a fraction of the time
previously required (Gates, 1999). Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office software
have revolutionized and partially standardized large and small office environments.
The majority of IT projects fail (Chen & Latendresse, 2003; N. Evans, 2004a, 2004b). N.
Evans (2004a, 2004b) posited communication problems between business and IT professionals are
the cause of most IT project failures. Chen and Latendresse recommended that business
professionals should learn more about certain technical aspects such as the automation of software
tools to bridge the communication gap.N. Evans (2004a, 2004b) further posited the business
analyst and the system analyst play important roles for achieving communication. In particular, the
analysts must understand the requirements from the stakeholders. Effective collaboration requires
analysts to exercise both technical and soft skills. The technical skills include programming,
enterprise resources planning software, Java programming, database and quality management, and
object-oriented development. The soft skills include strategic thinking, risk assessment, and
communication. Regarding personal characteristcs, analysts should be proactive and adaptive.
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Thus, N. Evans (2004a, 2004b) theorized business analysts must understand the technical issues.
Similarly, system analysts must understand the business issues. Some of the business and system
analysts’ skills should overlap to bridge potential communication gaps.
According to Brook (2004), traditional project management may not be the right tool for IT
project management. Brook emphasized that ensuring stakeholder participation is the critical factor
for IT projects to be successful. Gillard (2004) noted that large matrix organizations should
promote sound project management with the efficient use of resources. For large IT projects,
management should incorporate three views: (a) a project office for the project team; (b)
intraorganization for the parent organization, users, and contractors; and (c) interorganization for
external organizations. According to Dinson (2003), organizations are probably just unsupported
by real action to project management, which may be one of main reasons IT projects have been
abandoned or have a high percentage of failure.
The horizontal integration of disparate systems, applications, and processes that
corroborated the studies of N. Evans and Hoole (2005), Haes and Grembergen (2005, 2006), and
Coughlan et al. (2004) should show the following: (a) IT executives can design organizational
development roles to improveorganizational effectiveness, (b) the board and executives can design
IT governance to guide and support processes and structures to meet organizational development
roles, (c) organizational leaders can promote collaborative organization to support relationship
management, (d) good working relationships between business and IT reduce business-IT gaps,
and (e) shared ownership and responsibilities between business and IT contribute to risk
mitigation, ROI, and organizational performance.
Some alternative propositions that disputed or extended the stud of N. Evans and Hoole
ies
(2005), Haes and Grembergen (2005, 2006), and Coughlan et al. (2004) should show best practices
and strategies for organizations to do the following: (a) consider CIO as part of the executive team

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and recognize IT as key business functions; (b) define business-IT improvement, address goals and
responsibilities, and support collaboration between IT and programs regularly; (c) mandate IT and
program management to understand each other’s needs and motivations; (d) align federation-based
corporate cultures with strategic business-IT fusion; (e) support standardization toward enabling
interoperability, COTS products, and total cost of ownership saving; (f) support harmonization
toward advancing the programdevelopment and maximizing customer satisfaction; and (g) support
a standard interface that all applications can link to.
The question was posed how managerial leadership practices effectively advancebusiness-
IT fusion of an inclusive and collaborative organization. The horizontal integration activity that
occurred was apparently detectable through managerial leadership experiences and expectations.
Efforts of consolidating common practices in IT and engineering and centralizing leadership across
previously separated regional businesses help to eliminate redundancy in structures, applications,
and processes.
The managerial leadership practices effecting transformation of organization appeared
the
to be primarily centered on the corporate level with additional regard for meeting customers’
demands. The programs level, however, is still in a disparate mode that requires internal values
streams to be integrated and aligned to the systems and capabilities of customers to maximize
customer satisfaction. Information technology should continue to shift from services and solutions
to realizing program goals. Consolidating common practices in IT and engineering and integrating
core competencies to programs will optimize synergy. Applying managerial leadership at both
corporate and programs levels of horizontal integration should improve the chance of success.
Organizational issues such as cultural and human aspects should be properly addressed
during the horizontal integration of system development processes to allow knowledge to be
transferred between IT and programs. Meaningful governance mechanisms should be defined and

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implemented aOross organization to complement the efforts of the individual contributors.
Effective leadership principles should be demonstrated at all level of responsibility to integrate
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and optimize organizational development roles, IT governance, and relationship management for
business-IT fusion.
The business-IT relationship could be improved if the programs and IT treat each other as
one team or partners instead as a type of adjunct. Defined charter, roles, and responsibilities help
the team to establish effective communication channels, allowing business-IT units to gain
necessary knowledge of each other’s requirements. In addition, collocation with programs being
supported was important for IT technical personnel because it enhances trust and understanding of
complex technical and cultural issues. To build aforementioned core competencies, IT has to find
the right people for the job to take lead roles according to their degree of specialization. IT units
have to set the program’s requirement above their own agenda. Greater standardization and
dissemination of common business-IT processes and tools and development of an integrated
systems engineering methodology to implement the corporate integrated enterprise process
standard are necessary to provide practical so
lutions to enhance relationship management, mitigate
risks, and improve ROI.
The journey to understanding the viability of business-IT fusion provides significant and
substantive contributions toward t he growing body of research regarding how to effectively
organize business-IT fusion. Research has disclosed that integrating organizational development
roles, IT governance, and relationship management was the preferred modality when promoted IT
innovation to enhance collaborative and integrative aspects of the organization. Studies have
substantiated the need for further research specific to the following research questions: (a) how
organizations demonstrate business-IT fusion’s contribution to the success of the enterprise, (b)
how IT is situated as the enabler of change, and (c) how business-IT fusion facilitates

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organizational transformations. Finally, theresearch indicates a collaborative and integrative
model is needed to gain further insights into and subsequently improve managerial leadership
practices. Strategies to implement the collaborative and integrative model to large organizations
can present significant challenges because of subcultures-bound; however, these challenges could
yield greater organizational performance by enhancing the capabil ties of leaders and employees
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within the organization.